Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-28
"COPs" IN THE TROPICS.
Something About the Police Force
on the Isthmus of Panama.
From tie Mem York Herald.


sergt. Edward NJ. Muret, of the New
Church street police, arrived In this city
on the steamer City OF Para, from Colon,
after an absence of almost six months,
during which he has been Chief of Police
of Panama. He was accompanied by his
wife, and was looking and feeling in eX-
cellent health. He had many interesting
experiences on the 1sthmus, a few OF
which he related to reporter.
1t was at the request OF the Colon bian
government that Sergt. Muret was given
leave of absence to reorganiZe the police
force on the Isthmus. He was selected
because he is linguist as well as disci-
plinarian. When he started, the inten-
tion was that he should be gone year.
He got word, however, to report for duty
by April l, and so came back. The time
be was on the lsthmus was only sufficient
to reorganlze the police force of Panama.
81 sailed on Oct. l, 1885, said Sergt.
Muret; "arrived in Panama at 6p. M,
Oct. 8, and next morning at O'Clock
took charge of the police force. 1t con-
sisted of forty men and two officers. The
officers wera styled inspector general and
sub-inspector general
THE majority of the men were Colom-
bians. Some of them were Jamaica
negroes. The uniform consisted OF a
blue cap, peaked, and civilians dress.
Around the cap was band OF white
linen, on which was penciled the number
of the man. That was all to denote that
he was policeman. Some OF the men
were barefooLed. They had no idea of
police business.
Their sole weapon was the rifle. They
had no clubs. When they arrested man
they took him to the lookup at the muz-
zle of the rife. Half the force was out
during the day and the other half at
night. They did not patrol, but were as
signed to posts from which they did not
stir until duty called them.
"They were great frequenters of bar
rooms. When they wanted a drink they
turned the peaks OF their caps around and
then no one could tell them from ordinary
citizens. They commanded very little re-
spect. When they went to arrest anyone
he would say, wait until tomorrow; /
am too busy today
"When one of the men needed discip-
line the officer got big stick, pounded
him and put him in the stocks.
1.-The first week | was there l dismissed
twenty of the men and two newly appoint
ed officers for beating men with their
sticks. On Oct. 80 issued my first or
ders. / declared that all members of the
force should appear In full uniform on
duty and be neat and cleanly; that all
men were strictly prohibited from smok-
ing, sitting down and cOnversing Except
in case OF necessity, leaning against
buildings, lamp posts or trees, drinking
or leaving post except in the discharge OF
their duties.
after the first order the government
informed me that my instructions were
to be for the police alone, so it was the
only one published. l made the uniform
almost copy of the New York police. 1t
was made in Paris, of much lighter ma
terial than that used here. The shields,
helmets, night and day sticks | took
with me from New York.
81 substituted the club and revolver for
the rifle. l established and laid out a
patrol system. Disobedience to orders,
abuse of prisoners and intoxication were
frequent. l rIgidly enforced discipline.
| was informed that so loose had been the
way of engaging members that very often
a man would be discharged from prison
in the morning and appointed on the
force in the evening"
81 fixed the standard of the men at 5
feet inches and 125 pounds weight.
The Colombians are very small in stat
ure. | made 1t necessary for each one to
be able TO read and write, to be Colon
bians by birth or naturalization and TO
be recommended by three we'll known
citizens of Panama. l also made each
member pass a medical examination by
q police surgeon whom i had specially
appointed.
"When l came away there were 10C
members Of the force, ten rOundsmen,
eight lieutenants and one captain. The
chief trouble IN getting men L found to
be the pay, which is $50 month. This
is insufficient, as the living is very high
Many OF the men who Joined left on that
account. The government has promised
to raise the pay to $50 month from
May /.
1.-The police are slow, docIle, but stupid
| 1t is always POGO tempo "a little time y
or 'Manana' Tomorrow with them.
"There is a great deal OF lawlessnes
down there on account of the canal. The
| natives are quiet and very law-abiding,
| but not very industrious. The thermOm-
eter is not less than eighty all the year
round. Our winter is their summer and
| our summer their winter or rainy season
"There were four murders committed
during my term of office, and all by Chill
cans. We succeeded in getting every one
OF the murderers. Two OF them got away
in boat, The police pursued them in 8
boat, captured them on a sloop and
| brought them back to Panama.
| "Only few Americans are down there
| There are great many Jamaica negroes
Frenchmen and Chileans. The negroes
are laborers; the Chileans hang around
| the markets.
| "The basement of the prefecture is used
as a police station. When l went there
all the prisoners were put in a cage in the
rear. | had the prison repaired anC
washed twice day. 1t was never washed
| previously.
"The magistrate holds court at D. m
| Prisoners are fined So or given five days
Intoxication and disorderly conduct are
most frequent. The principal amuse
ments are the theatre, bull lights and the
| circus. The theatre nolds 500 people
The prices are 81, 81 90 and 50. Panama
is not so bad after all as 1t is represented
When leaving Panama Sergt. Muret
was presented with flattering testi.
monials from the merchants and resi-
dents ofthe city and the Governor OF the
| department.